Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox Return to 'Young and the Restless'

The actors reprise their roles as Malcolm Winters and Stephanie Simmons for a dramatic storyline on the long-running soap opera.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 4:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered, glittering disco ball glass captured in high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the dramatic return of classic soap opera characters.The reunion of Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox on The Young and the Restless promises to bring a touch of old Hollywood glamour and high-stakes drama to Genoa City.Genoa City Today

Shemar Moore is reprising his role as Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless, returning to the show where he got his start. Moore will appear alongside Vivica A. Fox, who is also returning as Stephanie Simmons, for a story that will have lasting repercussions in Genoa City. The actors reflect on their time on the show and the impact it had on their careers.

Why it matters

The return of Moore and Fox to The Young and the Restless is a significant event for fans of the long-running soap opera. The characters of Malcolm and Stephanie had a memorable romance decades ago, and their reunion is sure to stir up drama and nostalgia. The story also highlights the lasting impact that the show has had on the careers of its former stars.

The details

Moore, who played Malcolm from 1994 to 2005, didn't hesitate when asked to return to the show, despite the challenge of memorizing 124 pages of dialogue for just three days of work. He and Fox, who is reprising her role as Stephanie, have remained friends over the years and were excited to reunite on set. The story will explore the history between Malcolm and Stephanie and have lasting effects on the residents of Genoa City.

  • Shemar Moore will begin his return to The Young and the Restless on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • Moore and Fox will film additional scenes later this month to wrap up the storyline.

The players

Shemar Moore

An actor who played the role of Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless from 1994 to 2005, and has since gone on to star in successful primetime shows like Criminal Minds and S.W.A.T.

Vivica A. Fox

An actress who is reprising her role as Stephanie Simmons, Malcolm's former love interest, on The Young and the Restless.

Kristoff St. John

The late actor who played the role of Neil Winters, Malcolm's brother, on The Young and the Restless and served as a mentor to Shemar Moore during his time on the show.

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What they’re saying

“I feel humbled and honored and nostalgic. But I also have a bone to pick with Young and the Restless because all I was asked was, 'Would I be willing to come back for a cool little story?' And my mother raised me to always remember where you came from, but I didn't know they were gonna make me memorize 124 pages for three days of work [Laughs]!”

— Shemar Moore, Actor

“Vivica's done what she's done, and she's a sweetheart, and we've kept up. She calls me Shemarsky. I've had a lot of nicknames, but there's one person in this world that calls me Shemarsky, and that's Vivica Fox.”

— Shemar Moore, Actor

“In the beginning, I was scared to death and nervous and insecure and really thought, 'They're gonna realize I suck and tap me on the shoulder and say, 'Oops, we made a mistake, go on home.' But Kristoff wrapped me up, and he said, 'I got you. I'm gonna help you find your way.' And he was a big brother to me on the screen. He was a big brother to me and a mentor in real life.”

— Shemar Moore, Actor

What’s next

Moore will return to film additional scenes later this month to wrap up the storyline involving Malcolm and Stephanie's reunion in Genoa City.

The takeaway

The return of Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox to The Young and the Restless not only brings back beloved characters, but also highlights the lasting impact the show has had on the careers of its former stars. The story will tap into the nostalgia of longtime fans while also introducing the characters to new generations of viewers.